The Berkshire Highlands Pentathlon returns to Berkshire East Mountain Resort on Saturday, March 28, 2026, inviting runners, riders, paddlers, and skiers—as well as volunteers—to spend a full day playing outside for a good cause.
Event overview
The Berkshire Highlands Pentathlon showcases five of the Deerfield River Valley’s signature outdoor sports in one multi-leg race: run, bike, paddle, adventure run, and climb-and-ski/board descent. The event is set for Saturday, March 28, 2026, starting at Berkshire East ski area in Charlemont, Massachusetts. Participants can race solo or form a team, and the day typically draws a mix of serious competitors, weekend warriors, and enthusiastic first-timers looking for a challenge in a supportive atmosphere.
Race course at a glance
The race starts at Berkshire East (66 Thunder Mountain Road), then works its way through town, along the Mohawk Trail, and onto the Deerfield River before returning to the mountain for a final ski descent.
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Run: Approximately 4.3 miles, beginning on pavement through Charlemont before transitioning to woods roads and trails around the Warfield House, finishing at the Run–Bike transition at Zoar Outdoor.
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Bike: An 18-mile rolling, out-and-back road course heading west on Route 2, then onto Zoar Road up to the Hoosac Tunnel, returning via the same route to the Bike–Paddle transition at Mohawk Park Campground.
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Paddle: Just under 2 miles on the Deerfield River, with a short run from the Mohawk Park Campground lot down to the river, a brief upstream “attainment” section, then downstream class I water (with one possible class II spot) to the take-out at Great Outdoors.
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Adventure run: About 1.75 miles of mixed dirt and pavement from Great Outdoors back toward Berkshire East, looping around the parking lot with small obstacles and into wooded terrain by the tubing park before finishing at the Adventure Run–Ski transition in the base area.
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Climb and ski/board: A climb or skin up the Competition ski trail in front of the main base lodge, followed by a gated descent to the finish line at Berkshire East.
Spectators should note that viewing is not allowed at the Warfield House or on the Route 8A bridge, but there is plenty of action to see at Berkshire East and other accessible transition zones.
Supporting Good Neighbors Food Pantry
Each year, the Berkshire Highlands Pentathlon directs its energy toward supporting Good Neighbor’s Food Pantry in Charlemont, a local program that distributes food monthly from the Charlemont Federated Church. Past race communications highlight the pentathlon as a fundraiser for the pantry, helping sustain food distribution on the third Tuesday of each month for community members who need it. In 2026, participants and volunteers can expect their efforts and entry to continue this tradition of bolstering a crucial local safety-net service.
For many athletes, the appeal is knowing that the day’s miles on foot, bike, boat, and skis directly support neighbors facing food insecurity in the hilltowns. Sponsors and community partners also rally around the event, adding to the impact and turning race day into a celebration of both endurance and mutual aid.
How to register
Organizers have announced that registration for the 2026 Berkshire Highlands Pentathlon is now open, with details and links available through Berkshire East and the event’s social media channels.
Key points for potential participants:
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Where to sign up: Online registration is accessible via the Berkshire East event page for the Berkshire Highlands Pentathlon 2026.
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Deadlines: The Mohawk Trail Region event listing notes a discounted fee deadline of Monday, March 9, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. ET, and an online registration cut-off on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
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Race formats: Athletes can typically enter as individuals or form teams so that different people take different legs. This makes the event accessible both to multi-sport athletes and to people who prefer to specialize in a single discipline.
Anyone considering the race is encouraged to read the course description, review required gear (especially for the paddle and ski legs), and plan logistics such as kayak rentals in advance. For example, previous years have offered sit-on-top kayak rentals through Zoar Outdoor, with pickup and waiver completion at their Outfitters Shop on Main Street in Charlemont, and boats staged at Mohawk Park.
Volunteer opportunities
The event depends on a large volunteer crew, and the organizers actively encourage community members to sign up to help. Roles frequently include assisting at registration, staffing transitions, helping direct athletes on course, managing finish-line logistics, and supporting safety and flow throughout the day.
A volunteer sign-up link is shared through the Berkshire Highlands Pentathlon Facebook page and associated online sign-up platforms, and some posts mention that volunteers who register by mid-March can receive a BHP volunteer shirt. Prospective volunteers can visit the event’s Facebook page to find the latest sign-up link and details, then choose shifts and positions that fit their schedule.
Whether someone is racing or working a checkpoint, spending March 28 at Berkshire East offers a front-row view of a uniquely local test of endurance that also strengthens the community it runs through.
Learn more at berkshireeast.com.
Find more recreational activities in Western Massachusetts here.
All photo credit: Berkshire Highlands Pentathlon
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